It's one of the biggest free parties in the world, second only to Carnival in Brazil, and officials said it brings more than $500 million in economic impact to the region.

The viewing stands are up, and a cleanup is underway amidst sweeping changes for the Mardi Gras season.

"I'm optimistic about this year," visitor Robert Grider said.

Grider has celebrated in front of a St. Charles Avenue home for years.

"It's the perfect vantage point for the parades," Grider said.

Grider said he's happy to see a crackdown on access in public rights-of-way.

"The minute you hit the intersection, it's just a sea of lawn chairs and coolers and people with that look on their face," Grider said.

City leaders Wednesday reminded the public about the new laws designed to improve safety.

Ladders, tents and grills must be 6 feet from the curb.

No ladders, chairs or barbecue grills will be allowed in intersections, and no portable toilets in the rights-of-way, including the neutral ground. There will also be no throwbacks.

"This event is not possible if there is not common courtesy, common thought, and we do the best we can to follow the rules," New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu said.

Police will be ready to remind citizens and visitors about the new laws.

"Please don't spend a lot of time debating with the officer because you wanted to bring your kitchen furniture, your bedroom furniture, out to the neutral ground on Orleans Avenue. Please don't spend a lot of time debating with the police officer about throwing things back. Wouldn't you want your police officers more focused on the people who are trying to hurt somebody on the parade route ... on someone who might foolishly bring a gun to the parade route?" New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Ronal Serpas said.

About 125 Louisiana State Police officers will also be there to assist, along with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office and the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office.

Maintenance work along St. Charles Avenue has been suspended and neutral grounds cleared so streetcars can run.

Construction along Jefferson and Napoleon avenues will be demobilized. Equipment has been fenced off.

Landrieu said motorists should watch where they park.

"Don't get towed away. There will be 4,000 temporary no-parking signs that are necessary for all the parades to be able to move and for emergency vehicles to be able to get where they need to go in the event anybody is hurt," Landrieu said.

To find out more about the regulations for Mardi Gras, visit nola.gov, and for more about public transportation, visit norta.com.

It's one of the biggest free parties in the world, second only to Carnival in Brazil, and officials said it brings more than $500 million in economic impact to the region.

The viewing stands are up, and a cleanup is underway amidst sweeping changes for the Mardi Gras season.

"I'm optimistic about this year," visitor Robert Grider said.

Grider has celebrated in front of a St. Charles Avenue home for years.

"It's the perfect vantage point for the parades," Grider said.

Grider said he's happy to see a crackdown on access in public rights-of-way.

"The minute you hit the intersection, it's just a sea of lawn chairs and coolers and people with that look on their face," Grider said.

City leaders Wednesday reminded the public about the new laws designed to improve safety.

Ladders, tents and grills must be 6 feet from the curb.

No ladders, chairs or barbecue grills will be allowed in intersections, and no portable toilets in the rights-of-way, including the neutral ground. There will also be no throwbacks.

"This event is not possible if there is not common courtesy, common thought, and we do the best we can to follow the rules," New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu said.

Police will be ready to remind citizens and visitors about the new laws.

"Please don't spend a lot of time debating with the officer because you wanted to bring your kitchen furniture, your bedroom furniture, out to the neutral ground on Orleans Avenue. Please don't spend a lot of time debating with the police officer about throwing things back. Wouldn't you want your police officers more focused on the people who are trying to hurt somebody on the parade route ... on someone who might foolishly bring a gun to the parade route?" New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Ronal Serpas said.

About 125 Louisiana State Police officers will also be there to assist, along with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office and the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office.

Maintenance work along St. Charles Avenue has been suspended and neutral grounds cleared so streetcars can run.

Construction along Jefferson and Napoleon avenues will be demobilized. Equipment has been fenced off.

Landrieu said motorists should watch where they park.

"Don't get towed away. There will be 4,000 temporary no-parking signs that are necessary for all the parades to be able to move and for emergency vehicles to be able to get where they need to go in the event anybody is hurt," Landrieu said.

To find out more about the regulations for Mardi Gras, visit nola.gov, and for more about public transportation, visit norta.com.